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Jaxson Dart, elite defense lead No. 5 Ole Miss vs. Georgia Southern
Ole Miss Heisman Trophy candidate Jaxson Dart and his 11 total touchdowns created many of the headlines during a 3-0 start, but the team's defensive showing has produced the Southeastern Conference school's best stat.
Off to an outstanding start in a less-than-challenging nonconference schedule, the No. 5-ranked Rebels will host the Georgia Southern Eagles in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday night in their final game before eight straight SEC matchups.
And when the opposition has had the ball against Ole Miss in 2024, it has been lights out play by the Rebels' defense.
In three victories and 180 minutes of football, defensive coordinator Pete Golding's unit has not allowed one opponent to cross the goal line as the squad has dominated the other side on the scoreboard by a 168-9 margin.
No TDs surrendered. No garbage score late in one of the three blowouts, no freak play like a tipped ball or player slipping, no broken coverage or backups wearing unfamiliar numbers showing why they are where they are down the depth chart.
It's the first time since 1961 that an Ole Miss squad has done that.
The Landshark defense is tied with Ohio State in scoring defense (3.0 points per game), leads in rushing defense (33.3 yards) and is tied for third in tackles for loss (10.0).
Linebacker TJ Dottery said the success stems from stopping the run.
"Our D line. Our backers and even our safeties have been coming down, hitting and being physical," said Dottery, a sophomore who played for Clemson in 2022. "We say it a lot, 'On our road games, we pack our defense and our run game.' It's really hard to win without running the ball."
Coach Lane Kiffin said the current defensive front is a major upgrade.
"(This group) is completely different than any time we've been here. Since the Georgia game, that was a priority," the coach said, citing the Bulldogs' 52-17 home rout of the then-8-1 Rebels last Nov. 11.
Transfer linebacker Chris Paul Jr., who played for Arkansas last year, tops the team with 19 tackles and shares the lead for tackles for loss (4) with defensive tackle JJ Pegues. Safety Trey Washington has a unit-best three pass breakups.
After this Saturday, the Rebels' attention will turn to the conference opener at home against Kentucky.
First, the Sun Belt Conference's Eagles (2-1) have next in the Grove.
After losing a home-opening 56-45 shootout with Boise State, coach Clay Helton's group has rallied with wins over Nevada (20-17) and South Carolina State (42-14).
Against the latter, running back OJ Arnold ran for a score and caught a TD pass while fellow backfield mate Jalen White rushed for a pair.
A fifth-year senior from Daleville, Ala., White is a reliable workhorse for Helton, who is in his third season as head coach in Statesboro, Ga.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound running back has carried the ball 31 times for a team-high 97 yards and five touchdowns.
Helton considers White his most reliable option in short-yardage situations.
"Just a warrior, and he's not 100 percent," the former Southern Cal coach said. "We need him, and you see what he brings to the table - not only in tough running but in goal-line runs where you're always one short.
"I'll bet my whole life on 25 (White) when it's one-on-one."
--Field Level Media
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 7 | 10 |
Rushing | 0 | 2 |
Passing | 5 | 7 |
Penalty | 2 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 1-5 | 2-6 |
4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 77 | 265 |
Total Plays | 25 | 25 |
Avg Gain | 3.1 | 10.6 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 49 |
Rush Attempts | 11 | 11 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0.0 | 4.5 |
Yards Passing | 77 | 216 |
Comp. - Att. | 10-14 | 10-14 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.2 | 15.4 |
Penalties - Yards | 5-55 | 5-50 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 3 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-1 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 3-40.3 | 1-39.0 |
Return Yards | 0 | 4 |
Punts - Returns | 1-0 | 1-4 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. WhiteÂ
25 RB
|
J. White | 3 | 14 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. ArnoldÂ
22 RB
|
O. Arnold | 3 | 8 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. FrenchÂ
12 QB
|
J. French | 4 | -5 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. CobbÂ
1 WR
|
D. Cobb | 1 | -17 | 0 | -17 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Burgess Jr.Â
2 WR
|
D. Burgess Jr. | 4 | 4 | 43 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. CobbÂ
1 WR
|
D. Cobb | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. FrommÂ
7 TE
|
T. Fromm | 4 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteÂ
25 RB
|
J. White | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. BuchannonÂ
15 WR
|
D. Buchannon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. DallasÂ
19 WR
|
J. Dallas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. StewartÂ
88 K
|
G. Stewart | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
A. SmithÂ
81 P
|
A. Smith | 3 | 40.3 | 1 | 45 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Dallas 19 WR
|
J. Dallas | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. DartÂ
2 QB
|
J. Dart | 10/14 | 216 | 3 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
H. Parrish Jr.Â
21 RB
|
H. Parrish Jr. | 6 | 22 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. DartÂ
2 QB
|
J. Dart | 4 | 19 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesÂ
0 RB
|
M. Jones | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. HarrisÂ
9 WR
|
T. Harris | 6 | 5 | 139 | 1 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Wells Jr.Â
3 WR
|
A. Wells Jr. | 3 | 2 | 53 | 1 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WatkinsÂ
11 WR
|
J. Watkins | 1 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesÂ
0 RB
|
M. Jones | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. LeeÂ
19 WR
|
C. Lee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Parrish Jr.Â
21 RB
|
H. Parrish Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. PrieskornÂ
86 TE
|
C. Prieskorn | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
P. UmanmielenÂ
1 DE
|
P. Umanmielen | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. NolenÂ
2 DT
|
W. Nolen | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Paul Jr.Â
11 LB
|
C. Paul Jr. | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. DavisÂ
41 K
|
C. Davis | 1/1 | 28 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
F. MasinÂ
12 P
|
F. Masin | 1 | 39.0 | 0 | 39 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Davis 4 WR
|
M. Davis | 1 | 4.0 | 26 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:29 | GAS 25 | 0:06 | 1 | -17 | Fumble |
13:16 | GAS 25 | 2:30 | 5 | 4 | Punt |
0:09 | GAS 38 | 0:09 | 1 | 12 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:12 | GAS 46 | 2:15 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
10:38 | GAS 33 | 1:55 | 5 | 8 | Punt |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | MISS 25 | 0:31 | 2 | 75 | TD |
14:23 | GAS 8 | 1:07 | 4 | -2 | FG |
10:46 | MISS 20 | 6:07 | 14 | 80 | TD |
4:39 | GAS 25 | 5:29 | 9 | 37 | |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:57 | MISS 7 | 1:19 | 4 | 21 | Punt |
8:43 | MISS 24 | 0:35 | 2 | 76 | TD |
 - Punt (5 plays, 8 yards, 1:55 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Punt | 4 & 20 - GAS 41 (8:51 - 2nd) A.Smith punts 35 yards to MIS 24 Center-B.Bernard. Out of bounds. |
Sack | 3 & 10 - MISS 49 (9:25 - 2nd) J.French steps back to pass. Sacked at GSO 41 for -10 yards (P.Umanmielen). |
No Gain | 2 & 10 - MISS 49 (9:29 - 2nd) J.French steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Dallas. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - MISS 49 (9:39 - 2nd) J.French steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Fromm. |
+12 YD | 2 & 4 - GAS 39 (10:06 - 2nd) J.French pass complete. Catch made by T.Fromm for 12 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 49. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 33 (10:38 - 2nd) J.White rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 39. |
 - Punt (4 plays, 21 yards, 1:19 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Punt | 4 & 3 - MISS 28 (10:48 - 2nd) F.Masin punts 39 yards to GSO 33 Center-C.Short. J.Dallas returned punt from the GSO 33. Tackled by MIS at GSO 33. |
No Gain | 3 & 3 - MISS 28 (10:53 - 2nd) J.Dart steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Harris. |
+12 YD | 2 & 15 - MISS 16 (11:15 - 2nd) J.Dart scrambles for 12 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 28. |
No Gain | 1 & 15 - MISS 16 (11:21 - 2nd) J.Dart steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for A.Wells. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - MISS 21 (11:35 - 2nd) PENALTY on MIS-MIS False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
+14 YD | 1 & 10 - MISS 7 (11:57 - 2nd) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by T.Harris for 14 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 21. |
 - Punt (3 plays, 7 yards, 2:15 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Punt | 4 & 8 - MISS 48 (12:05 - 2nd) A.Smith punts 41 yards to MIS 7 Center-B.Bernard. Fair catch by M.Davis. |
No Gain | 3 & 3 - MISS 47 (12:44 - 2nd) J.French steps back to pass. Sacked at MIS 48 for 0 yards (W.Nolen; C.Paul). |
+12 YD | 2 & 15 - GAS 41 (13:14 - 2nd) J.French pass complete. Catch made by D.Cobb for 12 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 47. |
Penalty | 2 & 5 - MISS 49 (13:56 - 2nd) J.French pass complete. Catch made by T.Fromm for yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 37. PENALTY on GSO-B.Broadway Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 46 (14:12 - 2nd) O.Arnold rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 49. |
Kickoff | (14:12 - 2nd) G.Stewart kicks onside from GSO 35 to GSO 35. RECOVERED by GSO. Tackled by MIS at GSO 46. |
 - Touchdown (1 plays, 12 yards, 0:09 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
PAT Good | (14:12 - 2nd) G.Stewart extra point is good. |
+12 YD | 1 & 10 - MISS 12 (14:07 - 2nd) O.Arnold pass complete. Catch made by D.Burgess for 12 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - MISS 22 (14:10 - 2nd) J.French steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for L.Bunkley-Shelton. PENALTY on MIS-I.Hamilton Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 3 & 10 - MISS 22 (15:00 - 2nd) O.Arnold rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 22. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - MISS 38 (0:09 - 1st) J.French scrambles for 1 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 37. PENALTY on GSO-GSO Personal Foul / Defense 15 yards accepted. |
+4 YD | 4 & 2 - MISS 42 (0:48 - 1st) J.French rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 38. Tackled by MIS at MIS 38. |
+13 YD | 3 & 15 - GAS 45 (1:12 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by D.Burgess for 13 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 42. |
No Gain | 3 & 5 - MISS 45 (1:42 - 1st) J.French scrambles for yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 40. PENALTY on GSO-B.Broadway Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play. |
+3 YD | 2 & 8 - MISS 48 (2:26 - 1st) O.Arnold rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 45. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 50 (2:34 - 1st) J.White rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MIS at MIS 48. |
+5 YD | 3 & 3 - GAS 45 (3:09 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by D.Burgess for 5 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 50. |
-1 YD | 2 & 2 - GAS 46 (3:51 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by T.Fromm for -1 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 45. |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 38 (4:22 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by D.Cobb for 8 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 46. |
+13 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 25 (4:39 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by D.Burgess for 13 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 38. |
Kickoff | (4:39 - 1st) C.Davis kicks 65 yards from MIS 35 to the GSO End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Touchdown (14 plays, 80 yards, 6:07 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
PAT Good | (4:39 - 1st) C.Davis extra point is good. |
+23 YD | 2 & 22 - GAS 23 (4:55 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by J.Watkins for 23 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
No Gain | 2 & 7 - GAS 8 (5:05 - 1st) H.Parrish rushed for yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 9. PENALTY on MIS-R.McIntyre Defensive Chop Block 15 yards accepted. No Play. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 11 (5:41 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by T.Harris for 3 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 8. |
+2 YD | 3 & 1 - GAS 13 (6:15 - 1st) J.Dart rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 11. |
+6 YD | 2 & 7 - GAS 19 (6:39 - 1st) J.Dart scrambles for 6 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 13. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 22 (6:57 - 1st) H.Parrish rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 19. |
+18 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 40 (7:16 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by A.Wells for 18 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 22. |
+8 YD | 3 & 8 - GAS 48 (7:35 - 1st) M.Jones rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 40. |
+2 YD | 2 & 10 - MISS 50 (8:21 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by M.Jones for 2 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 48. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - MISS 50 (8:28 - 1st) J.Dart steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Lee. |
Penalty | 4 & 1 - MISS 45 (8:38 - 1st) PENALTY on GSO-J.Rhodes Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
+1 YD | 3 & 2 - MISS 44 (9:20 - 1st) H.Parrish rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 45. |
+2 YD | 2 & 4 - MISS 42 (9:41 - 1st) H.Parrish rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 44. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - MISS 36 (9:58 - 1st) H.Parrish rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 42. |
+12 YD | 2 & 6 - MISS 24 (10:18 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by T.Harris for 12 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 36. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - MISS 20 (10:46 - 1st) H.Parrish rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by GSO at MIS 24. |
 - Punt (5 plays, 4 yards, 2:30 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Punt | 4 & 19 - GAS 29 (11:00 - 1st) A.Smith punts 45 yards to MIS 26 Center-B.Bernard. M.Davis returned punt from the MIS 26. Tackled by GSO at GSO 48. PENALTY on MIS-C.Graves Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. |
No Gain | 3 & 19 - GAS 29 (11:06 - 1st) J.French steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Cobb. |
No Gain | 2 & 19 - GAS 29 (11:16 - 1st) J.French steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Buchannon. |
+6 YD | 1 & 25 - GAS 23 (11:47 - 1st) J.White rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 29. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - GAS 38 (12:07 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by D.Cobb for yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 45. PENALTY on GSO-D.Burgess Offensive Pass Interference 15 yards accepted. No Play. |
Penalty | 3 & 7 - GAS 28 (12:14 - 1st) J.French steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Cobb. PENALTY on MIS-J.Saunders Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play. |
+3 YD | 2 & 10 - GAS 25 (12:48 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by J.White for 3 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 28. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - GAS 25 (13:16 - 1st) J.French pass complete. Catch made by T.Fromm for 0 yards. Tackled by MIS at GSO 25. |
Kickoff | (13:16 - 1st) C.Davis kicks 65 yards from MIS 35 to the GSO End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Field Goal (4 plays, -2 yards, 1:07 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Field Goal | 4 & 10 - GAS 18 (13:41 - 1st) C.Davis 28 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Short Holder-F.Masin. |
No Gain | 3 & 10 - GAS 10 (13:45 - 1st) J.Dart steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for H.Parrish. |
-1 YD | 2 & Goal - GAS 9 (14:04 - 1st) J.Dart rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 10. |
-1 YD | 1 & Goal - GAS 8 (14:23 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by C.Prieskorn for -1 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 9. |
 - Fumble (1 plays, -17 yards, 0:06 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
-17 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 25 (14:29 - 1st) D.Cobb rushed for -17 yards. D.Cobb FUMBLES forced by MIS. Fumble RECOVERED by MIS-J.Pegues at GSO 8. Tackled by GSO at GSO 8. |
Kickoff | (14:29 - 1st) C.Davis kicks 65 yards from MIS 35 to the GSO End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Touchdown (2 plays, 75 yards, 0:31 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
PAT Good | (14:29 - 1st) C.Davis extra point is good. |
+35 YD | 1 & 10 - GAS 35 (14:31 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by A.Wells for 35 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
+40 YD | 1 & 10 - MISS 25 (15:00 - 1st) J.Dart pass complete. Catch made by T.Harris for 40 yards. Tackled by GSO at GSO 35. |
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) G.Stewart kicks 65 yards from GSO 35 to the MIS End Zone. Touchback. |